Sunday, July 26th:Yahrtzeit of the saintly Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, aka the Arizal

Wednesday night, July 29th throughThursday, July 30th:9th of Av - Tisha B'Av, Major
Fast Day (from 7:57pm Wednesday - 8:24pm Thursday)Anniversary of the Sin of the Spies Anniversary of the destruction of the First Holy Temple in Jerusalem by the Babylonians and the Second Holy Temple in Jerusalem by the
Romans; and many other calamities throughout Jewish History, (may we be spared).

Wednesday,August 5th:15th of Av - Tu B'Av, Joyous Day - Because of the joyous events which occurred on this day in Jewish History,
our Sages regarded the 15th of Av to be one of the two most auspicious
days on the Jewish calendar (the other being Yom Kippur--Talmud, Taanit
26b). Nevertheless, no special Av 15 observances or celebrations are
ordained by Halachah (Torah law) or custom, other than the omission of
the Tachnun (confession of sins) and similar portions from the daily prayers, as is the case with all festive dates. Also, 40 Days before Rosh HaShana...

Recorded: Listen anytime! Each class is recorded and available until the next shiur, which will replace it.
Playback Number: (641) 715-3412
Access Code: 818022#

Always in Our Prayers

Please daven for theimmediate
safe return of

Gilad (ben Aviva) Shalit;

Zachary (ben Miriam) Baumel;

Tzvi (ben Penina) Feldman;

Yehuda (ben Sarah) Katz;

Ron (ben Batya) Arad

and

Guy (ben Rina) Hever

as well as for thesafety and success
of all of Israel's soldiers,

and theimmediate release of

Yehonatan (ben Malka) Pollard.

Kol Chevra

"Kol Chevra" is an organization that is dedicated to perpetuating the legacy of Shlomo Carlebach that annually publishes a compendium for Reb Shlomo's Yahrtzeit (16 Cheshvan) with memoirs and recollections on how Reb Shlomo influenced and inspired the lives of the "Chevra"; memorial pages of those whose lives were motivated, awakened and exalted by Reb Shlomo; announcements of life cycle events; insights, writings and recordings of original work of the "Chevra" who are carrying on the legacy of Reb Shlomo by developing new commentary and relevancy to his life and works.

This fabulous compendium is read by hundreds of Reb Shlomo "Chevra" all over the world - hope you pick one up in the fall, and even better, hope you are able to contribute to it as well.

Happy Minyan Newsletter - Kol SassonParshas Devarim, Shabbas Chazon

July 2009

Greetings!

We are in the midst of the first nine days of Av, traditionally a time of mourning the destruction of the Holy Temple and reflection on where we are as a People.Here is a great thought sent from our friend Hesh: (This is from the Munkatcher Rebbe, courtesy of performance poet Matthue Roth. )The Talmud says, "When the month of Av enters, one should
decrease in joy." The Hasidic rebbe Rabbi Chaim Elazar Spira
(1861-1937) said that, though the Talmud says to "decrease in joy," it should be read, "decrease...in joy." In other words, though it is proper to mourn, even in that mourning, we should do so joyously, knowing that better times are ahead.I was once taught the the Talmud says that in Av, we should decrease in joy, and in Adar (the time of the miracle of Purim) we should increase in joy. This means that no matter where in the year you find yourself, no matter what the circusmtances, you are always meant to be b'simcha, in joy - sometimes an increased amount sometimes decreased, but always with some degree of joy. May we all be blessed with only ever-increasing joy, as these days of mourning are transformed to celebration with the arrival of moshiach, may it be now!

Wishing One and All a Shabbat Shalom!

Rachel Espana

PS - In addition to my words on the parsha (What's the Good Word in Devarim), I am including a piece I wrote several years ago that unfortunately still applies this eve of Tisha B'Av.

PPS - Emunah Witt is asking that all submissions to the Kol Chevrah compilation (see below in the left) be sent in by next week! If you need a bit more time, email her!

An early minyan will start at around 6:15pm and, a later minyan (after candle-lighting) will start at around 7:30pm. Early minyan'ers should please be sure to be on time so that the second minyan is not delayed.

* Tisha B'Av servicesIf moshiach isn't here yet and we aren't all in Yerushalayim, the Happy Minyan will have services for Tisha B'Av this Wednesday night at 8pm.

* Sisterhood Gathering for Rosh Chodesh ElulRosh Chodesh Elul is Thursday and Friday, August 21st and 22nd. There will be a special gathering in honor of Rosh Chodesh Elul at Mrs. Debby Gabbai's house.She will be hosting a "Seudat Nishmat" - a very powerful ceremony where we recite blessings and pray for each other's needs and gie thanks to HaShem for all the good He bestows upon us. Exact details of this event (date & time) to come - stay tuned!

* Mazel Tov: Yehoshua and Nechama (Amy ) Werth on the birth of Yakov Tzemach; andSarah and Natan Dakar on the birth of David Yosef! If you would like to assist the Dakars with meals for the next few weeks, please contact Batsheva Frankel at daysbetwn@aol. com

It is possible to do everything G-d wants you to do and not to be
intimate with G-d. You know, beautiful friends, Mount Sinai is where
G-d told us what to do. But Jerusalem, the Holy Temple, is where we are
intimate with G-d. The Holy Temple is the headquarters for being close
to G-d and to each other. But when the house is destroyed, there is no
place to be intimate anymore. And gevalt! Are we longing and crying to
be intimate with G-d, with every Jew, with every word of the Torah,
and, one day, with the whole world... On Tisha b'Av the Messiah comes. On
Tisha b'Av, until the Six Million of the Holocaust, you only heard the sound of the
destruction of the Temple; you could not hear the footsteps of the
Messiah. Today, the voice of destruction gets further and further away,
the voice of the coming of the Messiah gets closer and closer. Let it
be this year that the whole world will be fixed and G-d's holy intimacy
comes back into the world and into our lives. You know, beautiful
friends, I'm so proud of our moshav and our shul because they are
filled with prayers, with so much dancing and joy, but also with so
many tears begging G-d for intimacy with every word of the Torah with
every Jew, with every human being, with all of nature. I have a feeling
it will be this year.Reprinted from Cong Kehillat Jacob News 5752

In a 'sicha' (Torah and Chassdus talk) given by the Lubavitcher Rebbe zt"l on
Shabbos Chazon 5750 (1990) the Rebbe opens with a well known Chassidic
explanation: The name of this Shabbos, 'Shabbos Chazon', (it is so named)
because on this Shabbos the Future Temple
'is shown' to everyone. (Chazon is a vision in Hebrew.)

This explanation is the opposite of the simple and straightforward meaning of
Shabbos Chazon ."Chazon Yeshayahu" is the third and last in a series known as
'tlata d'puranuta' - three (Haftorah readings) of retribution. Chazon
Yeshayahu, is always read on the Shabbos before Tisha b'Av* - the fast of the
9th of Menachem Av - and is filled with strong words of rebuke and warnings of
impending destruction.

On the seven Shabbatot following Tisha b'Av, we read a series of seven Haftorah
portions known as 'shivah d'nechamsa' - the seven (readings) of comfort -
prophecies containing Hashem's words of comfort to the Jewish People.

Thus, the Chassidic teaching that it is particularly on Shabbos Chazon that
everyone of us is shown the Beit Hamikdash of the future, is astounding! Would
it not have been more appropriate, asks the Rebbe, that the vision of the
future Beit Hamikdash should be shown after Tisha b'Av, when the Children of
Israel are being comforted, rather than when they are being foretold of the
coming destruction of the [first] Beit Hamikdash?

The explanation, says the Rebbe, is based on the principle that the every
'descent is for the sake of ascent'.

Hashem is 'the Essential Good' and it is the nature of Good, to do good to
others. Therefore there really is no room for any true possibility of a
'descent' in His world, for that would be the opposite of the good. Therefore
it must be, explains the Rebbe, that the intent and ultimate purpose of the
'descent' is that it should bring about an ascent of a much higher caliber and
order. Since the essence of everything is its intent and purpose, thus we
understand that the substance of the 'descent' is the consequential 'ascent'
that it will bring about as a result. And so, the 'descent' is actually the
beginning and a stage of the 'ascent'.

We need to see the 'descent' as a purposeful transition phase towards an even
higher 'ascent'. Suppose you want to throw a ball high into the air, so what do
you do? You lower your hand and pull it back to get a lot of power behind the
ball. Even though you have lowered your hand, you did it only for the sake of
the greater ascent.

Have a wonderful Shabbos Chazon
May your vision of the third Beit Hamikdash and of the Ultimate Redemption be bright, clear and strong - illuminating your path toward the greater 'ascent'!

This week we begin reading from the last book of the Torah,
the book of Devarim. This is also the name of this week's parsha. Generally
speaking, the names of both the parshiot (weekly Torah portions) as well as the
five books of the Torah are named based on the first significant word mentioned
in the first line or two of that section. In this week's case, the word is
"Devarim", which actually means "words". "These
are the words which Moshe spoke unto all of Israel..."

Our Sages point out that the significance of those words that follow is that
they are being said by Moshe himself, as opposed to the majority of the Torah
which was taught to the masses by Aharon, Yehoshua, or the other elders. In a
way, that places a higher importance on these words. And what are these
precious words he spoke? Mainly, Moshe gives over words of instruction and
guidance, some are more like rebuke and some are more like encouragement. They
are also the parting words he gave over before his death.

The word "Devarim" also means "things". Words are so
powerful that we call them things. Yes, in our tradition, words are like
tangible items. A good word can ultimately lead to the creation of good things.
A discouraging word can, G-d Forbid, lead to destruction and negative things. So
it makes sense that Moshe leaves us with words, powerful and instructional
words, because he wanted to leave some things behind... some real and important
things.

Perhaps this is why so often when two people part, they part with good words,
wishing each other well.

This coming week is the anniversary of many tragedies that have befallen the
Jewish People, Tisha B'Av. We are taught that national tragedies, (may we be
spared any further suffering), are meant to bring us closer as a People. This
is traditionally a time when we all reflect on our state as a People and
hopefully resolve to really love our neighbor as ourselves. Maybe we can take
on something kind of simple, like parting with a good word. A blessing. A thank
you. A good wish. Because you never know what good it could lead to - perhaps
it could lead to the healing and redemption for which we are all yearning.

A couple of weeks ago, I had occasion to be in Chinatown. I hadn't been in a while. I was there
with a friend, just enjoying the glimpse into another culture.
Admittedly, I also love a bargain and I was looking at all the trinkets for
sale in the various shops. One store had Kung Fu shoes for sale,
$5. If you're not familiar, they're made of canvas tops (black) and
rubber soles. A thought went through my mind: "These shoes are perfect
for Tisha B'Av. Kinda cool. Cool shoes to mourn properly in -
good. Should I get them now, 2 months before Tisha B'Av, or should I come
back?" Oy.
(Note: Tisha B'Av is a Jewish day of mourning,
presently anyway, commemorating the destruction of both the First and SecondHolyTemples in Jerusalem, as well as other great tragedies that have struck
our nation. One sign of mourning is to wear non-leather shoes, as that is
assumed to be less comfortable.)
Though I am embarrassed to share this thought I
had, (cool shoes to mourn in), I am willing to share it, and the next thought
with you, hoping it will be meaningful and thought-provoking.
My next thought was: "How can I plan to be in
mourning? Don't I believe our redemption is imminent?!" I
immediately resolved to refuse to buy any such shoes or prepare for Tisha B'av
in any manner whatsoever.
But I still had some reckoning to do. What's
with wanting cool mourning shoes? What's that about??? Yes, I like
to do things right, and okay - I like to look nice - but on Tisha B'Av, it's
really not what's on my mind.
And then it occurs to me, I am used to this.
I'm used to the mourning of national loss and tragedy. Master of the Universe!
- I am numb to being in exile, to the terror attacks on our People in our Land,
to the assimilation and intermarriage of our People around the world, to the
baseless hatred that divides a singular People. I'm used to the distance,
and numb to the pain.
Of course I need the right shoes! This is a
function that I've been to before, and know how exactly to dress for it.
And I'm ashamed to admit, it's an event that, at least until now, I have
naturally anticipated without really thinking too much one way or the
other. Just like every year there's Passover and Rosh HaShana, there's
Tisha B'Av. I have a Yom Tov outfit, I have a mourning outfit. Oy.
So just when I've resolved to be conscientious and
NOT prepare for another day of mourning, it gets worse.
It is mentioned in shul (synagogue) this past week
that we will be having our annual Tisha B'Av services on someone's lawn.
It brings back memories of Tisha B'Av's-past, the times we all gathered
together to mourn and comfort one another, sitting huddled together, reading
Lamentations by candlelight.
(Note: Another sign of mourning is sitting on the
ground instead of on chairs, and using dim candle light.)
Those services have been so powerful and
meaningful. Good friends coming together, sharing thoughts and feelings
on life in exile - by candlelight, on a nice green lawn. My first
reaction to the announcement in shul is that I am glad to know we'll have the
services again. Sigh.
Peculiar, isn't it? I'm glad to know that
when it's time to mourn again, I'll have cool Kung Fu shoes, and you'll be
sitting next to me, on a nice green grass lawn, in the dim candlelight.
Uh, no. Not this time. Not this
year. This year, I want to do something different. If there's
another Tisha B'Av before our ultimate redemption (may it be NOW!) uh... I want
to boycott.
First of all, everyday is a day of crying,
mourning, and devastation for the Jewish People. I ought to come, with a
candle in hand, and sit on the lawn in my Kung Fu shoes every night!
There are so many bombs and rockets, exploded buses and stabbings and soldiers'
lives lost in Israel... too many to count. And there are too many
friends, too many kids I grew up with, and yes, too many personal family
members who have left their Judaism, their priceless heritage. Not to
mention our brothers and sisters around the world, in places like Iran, who are in prison for their attempts to live
Jewish lives. And the poverty and illness and brokenness that so many of
us suffer. I could cry non-stop every day the whole year through for all
that our People endure.
Second of all, it is a fundamental principle of
faith that we eagerly await the Redemption and Messiah. I need to believe
that it can happen now.
Or now.
Or now.
If so, don't I need to act like it? And if we're
all in agreement and shared faith, don't we ALL need to act like there is no
mourning that's going to take place on Tisha B'Av? That's what I meant by
scratching the Kung Fu shoes purchase. And Sages far greater than I have
had the custom to bury their Book of Lamentations (the proper way to dispose of
holy books) every year promptly after Tisha B'Av, anticipating they'd never
need them again.
But I have another idea. How about acting
like it's really coming? Acting like the Redemption is coming now.
Not after Tisha B'Av, not tomorrow - today. I mean, how
about mending fences, putting aside grudges, apologizing, forgiving, paying
back debts, returning items, reconnecting with those we've estranged, assisting
those in need however we can - because we know we want to do all that BEFORE we
go to Israel with Moshiach, right?
Okay, I'll start. Please forgive me for all I
have said and done against you. I have been suffering from the insanity
of exile, thinking my limited perspective was more important than the bigger
picture and believing more in whatever my agenda was than sticking to G-d's
Plan for me and the world. Really, I'm sorry for the distance between
us. It's an illusion; we are actually one. From now on, I will act
like it. Will you join me?
And I forgive you, too. I know that when I
let go of whatever you may owe me - be it an apology, a thank you, debt, etc. -
then I am free to take hold of that which I truly want in my life, namely unity
and love and redemption.
May we be blessed to manifest Ahavat Yisrael, the
deep and endless love for every single Jew; and to experience the Final
Redemption with the arrival of the righteous Messiah, speedily, in our days...
Now!

David Sacks teaches every Shabbos morning at 8:30am at the Happy Minyan, and every Sunday morning at 10:30 am at Mogen David, 9717 W. Pico Blvd

You can also listen to David Sacks online anytime by down- loading his Torah on iTunes, or you can read some of his best articles - check out his fantastic siteSpiritual Tools for an Outrageous World.

Shabbos Candles and Harvard - A Personal Story

Dear Friends,

So often it seems like we're wondering around in the darkness.
Sometimes we're blessed with moments when a light turns on and then in
retrospect we see that we were never alone, even though it felt that
way at the time. Here is a personal story about how sometimes
everything comes together in a wonderful way, even though it took years
to see it.